Volume XXXV Winter 2018 Newsletter of the Macfie Clan Society of America Society Officers President: Dr. Jim McAfee, FSA Scot 420 Ash Dr. Baxter, TN 38544 931-516-3207 jgmcafee@charter.net Vice President Ms. Amy Fee 2667 W. Avenida Azahar Tucson, AZ 85745 520-622-7630 macfee62@yahoo.com Vacant Secretary Treasurer Ginger McAfee 420 Ash Dr, Baxter, TN 38544 931-325-9150 jgmcafee@charter.net Membership Diane Swenson 17309 End Dr NW Stanwood, WA 98292 dmswenson52@comcast.net. Newsbeat Editor Ginger McAfee 420 Ash Dr. Baxter, TN 38544 jgmcafee@charter.net District Coordinators District 1 Eastern Time Zone Mr. Welbourne Cliff McDuffie 6130 17th St. Zephyrhills, FL 33542 813 782 0877 zgator@verizon.net District 2, Central Time Zone Mr. Jarrod Fay 6417 Ems Rd. W Ft. Worth, TX 76116 (817) 313-9687. Jarrod@glasslake.com District 3, Mountain Time Zone Ms. Amy Fee 2667 W. Avenida Azahar Tucson, AZ 85745 520-622-7630 macfee62@yahoo.com District 4, Pacific Time Zone Dr. William McGaffey 31207 N. Short Rd. Deer Park, WA 99006 wmcgaffey@icloud.com Macfie Society of America Web Site:www.clanmacfieofamerica.com 1 Clan Commander-Ceann Cath Iain McFie Coulintyre, Kincraig Kingussie PH21 1LX E-mail commander@clanmacfie.co.uk International Clan Website: www.clanmacfie.co.uk/org Editor s Notes National Tartan Day is a US observance on April 6 each year. It commemorates the Scottish Declaration of Independence, from which the American Declaration of Independence was modeled. It also recognizes achievements of Americans of Scottish descent. Proudly display your Macfie Tartan on April 6, and send us pictures for the next Newsbeat. The Newsbeat is published three time a year, Spring/Summer, Fall and Winter If you have any news, pictures, stories, poems, Games reports, or genealogy queries, please send them to Ginger (at the address to the left, preferably e-mail) for inclusion in the next issue. We love to hear from you and the membership wants to know what is happening with other members.
Dues Schedules Dues are due each June. Family $25.00 Individual $15.00 Individual (over 65) $7.00 Associate $10.00 One time: Sponsorship $500.00 Life Membership (over 65) $200.00 Send Dues to Diane Swenson 17309 End Dr NW Stanwood, WA 98292 Annual dues will be due again on June 1, (unless you have joined within the past 6 months or so, in that case your dues will become due until the year following. Please check your membership card to see when you need to renew. Thanks to all those who faithfully renew their membership each year, your dues helps us to print and mail out this newsletter, it also helps us to maintain our web site and have a presence at many of the larger games in the county and be a presence to meet and get to know other Macfies around the country. We encourage you to attend as many Scottish Games as possible, and if you would like to convene, the society will pay half of the games fee. We will also provide a banner, and some items for the table, just contact Ginger at jgmcafee@charter.net Some upcoming Games where you are likely to find a Macfie Clan Tent Panama City Scottish Festival & Highland Games, March 3, http://www.pcbeachscotfestival.com Phoenix, AZ Scottish Games, March 3 & 4 http://www.arizonascots.com Blairsville, GA Scottish Games, June 9-10 http://www.blairsvillescottishfestival.org Grandfather Mountain, NC Games, June 12-15 http://www.gmhg.org You can get a more complete list of Scottish Games at http://www.angelfire.com/folk/irishcelts/ scottish_highland_festivals_by_date.html If YOU would like to convene a tent at a Scottish Highland Games in your area, please contact Ginger at jgmcafee@charter.net for information. The Macfie Society of America is a Member of The Council of Scottish Clans Association Inc. Macfie Merchandise for Sale Kilt Pin-$15.00 Badges $12.00 Pro Rege T-shirts green-$12.00 Black T-shirts-$17.00 Minimal postage will be added to each order. Send order and payment to: Ginger McAfee 420 Ash Dr. Baxter, TN 38544 jgmcafee@charter.net Ceud Mile Failte (One hundred thousand welcomes) Mr. & Mrs Michael (Mickey) McAfee Columbus, GA Mr. & Mrs. Mike McAfee Columbus GA Mr. & Mrs. Robert McAfee Lawrenceville, GA Mr. & Mrs. Joseph McPhie San Diego, CA To our newest Society members, we hope that you will be able to attend some of the Highland Games where there is a Macfie Tent. You are especially invited to attend the Stone Mountain Games October 20-22, 2018 Our Annual Meeting will be held there on the field on Saturday, Oct 20, 2017, at the Clan Tent. 2
Society News The bagpiper at the far right is Bailey McPhee-Walterman and the drummer at far right in front is her sister Gracie. Bailey just turned 18 and Gracie is 13. They were both accepted into the Caledonian Bagpipers of Rochester, MN. Bailey, who is a very talented piper, has been playing with them for several years. The late Bill McPhee and Nancy McPhee of Phoenix, AZ are the proud great grandparents, and Phil and Kim McPhee of Bryron are the proud grandparents. Steve Walterman and Jessie McPhee-Walterman are the girl's very proud parents. This is a note from our Clan Commander Iain Morris McFie as it appeared in the Clan Macfie News At a recent visit with my surgeon in Inverness, I was told my condition will not improve, but will likely deteriorate. Of course this was very disappointing to hear. However, I can manage very short walks, but I have to be accompanied by two members of staff to assure that I don't fall. I am quite settled here for the time being, but once we move down to the Glasgow area, which I hope will be in the near future, I will be more in command. With all that is going on at the moment, Fiona and I will not be sending out cards this Christmas, but will be making a donation to charity. We send everyone a very merry Christmas and a happy, healthy New Year! Yours in kinship, Iain Morris McFie Ceann Cath Vice President, Amy Fee writes: The Tucson AZ Scottish festival on November 4th, 2017 was wonderful. We had great weather and good attendance. A fellow MacFie, Patrick Mahaffey, author of The Last Clan Chief, came by the tent, to sell and autograph his book. I plan to be at the Phoenix, AZ games, on March 3 & 4. If you are tired of cold weather and snow, come on out to the Phoenix games for temperatures probably in the 801s. We have an easy airport to fly into without delays of snow. Come one and come all and enjoy warm weather and good games. 3
We had a good turn out for the Stone Mountain Games, October 21-22, we were thrilled to see many Macfies turn out for the annual meeting and clan picture. The minutes of the meeting and the Treasurer s report can be found on page 5. Jim and Ginger McAfee, convened at the third annual Middle Tennessee Highland games, held on September 9, 2017 at the Hermitage, home of the late President Andrew Jackson, near Nashville. This was our first time at these new games and was very pleased with the turn out. They are hoping to go to two day games this year. Kilts in Macfie Tartan Atlanta Kilts (www.atlantakilts.com) currently has the Clan Macfie modern tartan in a acrylic fabric. They will custom make a kilt in the acrylic for $74.99.These kilts are made to order and have three buckles, three belt loops and are cotton lined just like wool kilts. Matching flashes can be purchased for $6. If you're looking for an inexpensive kilt in the Macfie tartan don't pass this up. However they list the tartan as "MacPhee". Also, they have two styles of kilt skirts for the ladies in the acrylic. A standard ladies kilt for $74.99 and they also have a custom made Billie skirt for $69.99. John McAfee has had two made for his sons and says they are of a good quality and they were made and shipped in a timely manner. Plus they put in an extra long hem so it can be let out as the boys grow. International Macfie Day is always celebrated on May 27 of each year. Macfies all over the world celebrate this day that commemorates May 27, 1981 when Clan Macfie was officially recognized by the Lord Lyon of Scotland as an active clan once again. Plan a celebration with family and friends and take pictures to send to us for the next publication of the Newsbeat. 4
Macfie Annual Meeting 2017 October 21, 2017 The Annual Meeting was held at the Clan tent at the Stone Mountain GA, Scottish Games on October 21, 2017 The meeting was called to order by President Jim McAfee at 3:00 PM The minutes of the last meeting were read and adopted. The treasurer s report was read and adopted. A Report of Commander Iain s health was discussed. There were no Committee Reports Old Business: There was some discussion about the Society web site, Robert McAfee offered to take over the web site, and update it where we can eventually pay our dues online. You will be hearing more about that in the future. New Business: Election of Officers. We did not receive any nominations for officers by mail and there were no nominations from the floor, so the motion was made and seconded to reinstate the current officers who are: Dr. Jim McAfee, president Ms Amy Fee, vice president Ginger McAfee, Treasurer Motion was passed The meeting was adjourned at 3:30 Macfie Clan Society of America Financial Statement Oct. 1, 2016-Oct. 1, 2017 Beginning Account 10/01/16 $1,816.63 Income $2,401.00 Total $4,217.63 Disbursements $1,712.00 Bank Balance 10/01/17 $2,505.63 Explanation of Monies Received: Dues $1,889.00 Donations. $ 0 Merchandise $ 512.00 Total $2,401.00 Explanation of Monies Disbursed: Advertisement & Internet $ 50.00 Office Supply/Newsbeat/Postage $ 598.86 Merchandise $ 329.14 Games $ 734.00 Total $1,712.00 We have miscellaneous inventory on hand and out with those who convene various games. Estimated value $3,000.00. Membership Chairperson also keeps about $100.00 on hand for stamps envelopes and miscellaneous expenditures. 5
Clan Macfie 12th Parliament and 20th Gathering 6th through 10th September 2017 Stirling, Scotland (Copied from the Macfie Clan News Editor Linda Gilcrest. This year's Clan Parliament and Gathering were a great success! We had a good number of Clan members (63) from throughout the world (counts from each country at the end of this article). Twenty-six members went on to Colonsay. The accommodations at Stirling University were quite comfortable and the people from the University worked hard to take care of all our requests. They had a large conference room in which to hold our meetings, as well as a large dining room that could be used after dinner for a family ceilidh. The Stirling area was a perfect place to hold the Parliament as it is replete with wonderful Scottish sites! Stirling Castle, only 5 minutes from our hotel, is the grandest of Scotland's castles and one of the most popular visitor attractions in the country. Sitting 250 feet above the plain on an extinct volcano, Stirling Castle became the strategic military key to the kingdom during the 13th and 14th century Wars of Independence, and was the favourite royal residence of many of the Stuart Monarchs. The William Wallace Monument to "Braveheart" was less than 20 minutes away and was visible from most of the town of Stirling. A high point was the "Kelpies," about 15 minutes from Stirling, which are breathtaking, 30 metre high, 300 tonne, silver horse heads that glisten in the sun and symbolize the super natural water horses of Celtic myth that were believed to haunt the rivers and lochs of Scotland and Ireland. Wallace Monument The one disappointment at Parliament was that our illustrious Clan Commander Iain was unable to attend due to problems organizing the proper health care while he was in Stirling. However, Andrew Duffy, an Armiger and Commissioner for Scotland, handled the Parliament proceedings in good form. Scotland Society President, Bob McFie, welcomed all to the Parliament, and gave a short presentation on the history of the early members of Clan Macfie. History states that they were mainly "tinkers," and Bob explained that although many believe that "tinkers" was a less than honourable profession; it was in fact quite the opposite. Tinkers were travelers who went from village to village repairing and selling pots and pans and other instruments needed for cooking. The villagers looked forward to their arrival. He then went on to talk about "ceilidhs" and explained what they were. Bob stated that the Macfie Clan was famous for its active ceilidhs and encouraged everyone to take part in them. Members can sing a song, dance, play an instrument, read a poem or tell a story...whatever they choose. Remembrances were shared of beloved Clan members we have lost over the years: Norah McPhee, Australian Society; Heleen van der Leest, The Netherlands; and David Russell, the Scottish Society. I'm sure there are many more that I'm missing here. All worldwide Society Presidents submitted written reports on their Societies, as did Clan Treasurer, Finlay McFee, and Nomenclature Chair, Andrew Duffy. All other committee chairs gave oral reports and volunteered to remain in their positions for the next 4 years. Vanessa Macfie volunteered to chair the "Memorials and Trust" committee. Our Clan has placed benches on Oban as well as the Battle of Culloden site. They have a commemorative plaque from our Clan on them. 6
Commander Iain McFie currently holds the title of "Keeper of the Records." Alastair Scouller stated that he currently has many boxes of Macfie Clan information and history. Fiona stated that the Commander also has many boxes. Andrew Duffy volunteered to become "Keeper of the Records" and collect the boxes and manage having them digitized. Vanessa Duffy volunteered to make a list for publication of the books that are currently boxed. James McPhee, Armiger and Commissioner from the New Zealand Society, introduced Pär-Magnus Hagman, Swedish Society; Ian McPhee, Australian Society; and Linda McFee Gilcrest, U.S. Society; as Clan members who have petitioned the Lord Lyon's Court to become Armigers, but have been advised that there is currently a year's backlog for same. Donna McDuffie Infantino, representing the MacDuffee Clan Society of America gave an interesting presentation on their Society's successful Scholarship Program, which has been very well received. Glen McPhee, President of the New Zealand Society, gave a presentation on their current Genealogy Project and asked for volunteers from the rest of the world-wide societies to join in the project. New members of the committee are Jane Strauss and Nancyanne Carkeek from the United States; Robin McFee and Finlay McFee from the Scottish Society; Gary MacPhie from the Canadian Society; and Lynn Morgan from the Coffey/Coffee Assoc. in the United States. Finlay McFee, Treasurer and Trustee, reported on Clan finances, and presented an update on the Macfie Trust. It was unanimously approved to increase the number of Trustees from the current number of 2 (Commander Iain and Finlay) to 5. Finlay will discuss this with Commander Iain and proceed with the increase in Trustees. Trustee Finlay also updated us on an ongoing problem with past due taxes on the property on Colonsay where Chief Malcolm's Standing Stone is located. Finlay is currently working on resolving this issue. An update will follow in a future issue of this Clan Macfie News. Questions were raised about the maintenance of the area around the Standing Stone on Colonsay. Alastair Scouller, who has a home on Colonsay, volunteered to look into the maintenance issue and arrange to have the area cleaned up and maintained on an ongoing basis. He will report back to Finlay on the associated cost. Bob McFie, President of the Scottish Society, stated that due to the popularity of his first book of piping music, all of which was composed by him, he is now working on a second book. Both books of music will be available through Kilts and More website. There was a significant amount of time spent discussing the next Gathering. Our typical 4 year span between Gatherings would put our next Gathering in 2021. However, the Commander sent word that we may want to wait until 2023 to honour the 400th anniversary of the death of Chief Malcolm, The Parliament was adjourned at 12:00 PM on Saturday, 9 September 2017. Breakdown of members attending Parliament: Scottish Society, 9 members; Canadian Society, 5 members; Australian Society, 1 member; Ireland, 1 member; India, 2 members; New Zealand Society, 6 members, United Kingdom, 5 members; Swedish Society, 7
Ancient History of the Clan In the Western Highlands, in the county of Argyle, the great rock fortress of Dunadd rises steeply from the surrounding Kilmartin Glen. Fifteen centuries ago, this was a stronghold of the newly arrived Scots (or in Latin Scotti) and was the capital of the ancient Kingdom of Dalriada. Near the summit you can still see a stone basin and the mark of a human footprint, carved out of the rock. Here, after ceremonial purification, the ancient kings of Dalriada stood to be crowned. Legend has it that the Stone of Destiny (Stone of Scone) was used here in the crowning of these first kings. In the green, hilly countryside and glens surrounding Dunadd, you can still see many carved stones, standing stones and cairns, giving the place a misty feeling of timeless antiquity. The Scots waged sporadic warfare against the Picts until they were defeated in 843 by the newly crowned Kenneth MacAlpin, King of Dalriada. In the words of one chronicler Kenneth was the first Scot to rule over the whole of Alba which then became known as Scotia. Our clan, Clan Macfie, is one of the oldest clans in Scotland and was one of the seven clans that made up the Siol Alpin alliance under King Kenneth. The other clans were Grants, the MacAulays, the MacDuffs, the MacGregors, the MacKinnons, the MacNabs and the MacQuarries. Undoubtdly some representatives of Clan Macfie were on hand to see Kenneth crowned as king, right there on that spot. Thus this area had particular meaning to several Macfies on a recent trip to Scotland. As we placed our feet into the carved footprint and looked out over the cold grassy hillside, we were transported back in time to a darker age, shrouded in mist and obscurity. History reveals that at the time of the arrival of the Macfies on Colonsay/Oronsay, the residence of the chief was Dun Eibhinn. This was a fort built by King Adamnan who was claimed to be the great-grandfather of Donald of the isles. The name Dun Eibhinn was given because it was one of the many forms which the name Adamnan takes. When the Norsemen surrendered all authority in the isles in the year 1265 AD and handed it over over to the Crown of Scotland, the Macfies were not ejected, but continued as the Chiefs of Colonsay under the Lords of Isla and the Isles. It would seem that at that time, the MacDonalds held the Macfies in high esteem. We have evidence to support the fact that "Macfie of Colonsay was the Keepers of the Records of the isles, and the Judge on Colonsay and Oronsay, and was known to have been involved in several circumstances which required him to sign important documents. According to Clan Historian, the late Dr. Earle Douglas MacPhee, Clan Macfie was as independent as any other clan could be in Scotland, and for over four centuries functioned as an entity. Although small in number, the Macfies thrived on Colonsay. At one end of Colonsay there is a little depression, extending across it s width and when the tide rose the sea ran through the depression, thereby separating the two parts and making two islands. This lower island is Oronsay and it became a historic burial ground of much renown. Many tombs of the Macfies were found there. The body of an earlier chief Malcolm, however, lies on the island of Iona, about 18 miles from Colonsay. Here was located one of the most famous seats of learning and piety to be found in the world and in ancient times, bodies of princes and kings were brought from afar for honored burial. The carvings and inscriptions on the tomb of Malcolm Macfie present an effigy of a warrior, in high relief, armed with the great two-handed sword, and among the ornaments was the long fada or galley which is the invariable ensign of a West Highland Chief. The inscription on his tomb is as follows: Hic Jacet Malcolumbus MacDuffie de Colonsay -- Here lies Malcolm MacDubhsithe of Colonsay In June 1615, Malcolm Macfie, Chief of the Clan, as recorded in the record of Privy Council, joined Sir James MacDonald on an expedition against Argyll. This was a serious mistake which ultimately lead to the demise of the Clan. It seems that there was among the leaders of this expedition a traitor called Coll Ciotach MacDonald, who made terms with the Campbells in order to save his own life. The understanding was that during the execution of the expedition Coll Ciotach was to apprehend and deliver as many of the Chiefs involved as possible to Argyle. Macfie was one of the principal chiefs who was betrayed and incarcerated. Malcolm Macfie was later allowed to return to Colonsay. Upon Malcolm s return to the island he found Coll Ciotach MacDonald residing there on Colonsay. As time wore on, turmoil developed between the Macfies and the MacDonalds and Clan Macfie had become weakened in the conflict. Malcolm was hunted from one place to another and as he crossed to Oronsay the hunt continued. He swam to Eilean nan Ron (the island of the seal) and hid among the seaweed. Sadly his position was given away by a seagull and he was captured and returned to Colonsay. Malcolm and two of his sons were murdered 8 by Coll Ciotach and his men, in February 1623, and the clan became a broken clan.
The Oldest Castle in Scotland Copied from Beth s Newfangled Family Tree http://www.electricscotland.com/ bnft/ It has been a tough one to call for experts but the question of Scotland's oldest castle appears to be settled. Castle Sween in Knapdale, Argyll, is the oldest standing castle on the Scottish mainland that can be dated with confidence. according to Historic Environment. I meant Scotland, not The castle in Knandale. Argyll. dates to the 1100s. It. takes its name from Suibhne, (Sven) -the Red- a chieftain of Irish descent and ancestor of the MacSweens of Scotland's strangest castles. He probably built the castle in the 1100s when Argyll lay outside the Kingdom of Scotland. The castle is set on a low, rocky ridge over looking Loch Sween. Its curtain wall, 2m thick and 8m high, is surrounded by a quadrangular courtyard, though the complex was altered and built upon during the next 500 years, a statement from HES said" It has been dated to the 1100s given the broad buttresses, which are Norman in style, on the outside walls. There is also an absence of windows and other openings, aside from the entrances. In the 1200s, control of Argyll and the Isles was in dispute between the King of Norway and the King of Scots. As part of Scottish efforts to secure control, the MacSweens were replaced as Lords of Knapdale in 1262 by the Stewart Earls of Menteith. The lordship of Argyll and the Isles was transferred to the King of Scots by King Magnus of Norway four years later. The MacSweens launched an attempt to get their castle back around 1300 but they didn't hold onto it for long. It was recaptured by Robert the Bruce and was passed to the MacDonald Lords of the Isles in the late 14ft Century with several MacDonald families serving as keepers. In 1481, James III of Scotland, fearful of the MacDonalds'treachery entrusted the castle to the Campbell earls of Argyll. With the Campbells supporting the Covenanters, the castle was attacked in 1644 by supporters of the Royalist cause with Sir Alexander MacDonald finally destroying the property three years later in 1647. Excavations at Castle Sween suggest the site was occupied long before the castle was ever built. A stone axe and whetstone was found in a cave beneath the castle in the 1920s with a Neolithic six knobbed stone ball, three medieval blooches and a barbed and tanged arrowhead also discovered. Further excavations in the 1980s found evidence of at least five separate periods of use within the courtyard. One notable find was a 1400s harp-peg found on the site, associated with the Lords of the Isles, HES said. Aberdour Castle in Fife was thought to be Scotland's oldest castle for some time but it is now believed to have been built slightly later than Castle Sween. Read more at: https://www.scotsman.com 9
The Macfie Clan Society of America Dr. Jim McAfee, President 420 Ash Dr. Baxter,TN 38544 Auld Lang Syne Burns Night Every January 25th, Scotland and Scots all over the world come together to celebrate the life of our national poet, Robert Burns. Poet Robert Burns began life as a poor tenant farmer, born January 25, 1759. But he was able to channel his intellectual energy into poetry and song to become one of the most famous characters of Scotland's cultural history. He is best known as a pioneer of the Romantic movement for his lyrical poetry and his rewriting of Scottish folk songs, many of which are still well known across the world today. Since his death on July 21, 1796, his work has inspired many Western thinkers. One of his best known and loved poem/songs is Auld Lang Syne Should auld acquaintance be forgot, And never brought to mind? Should auld acquaintance be forgot, And auld lang syne! For auld lang syne, my jo, For auld lang syne, We'll tak a cup o' kindness yet, For auld lang syne. And there's a hand, my trusty fiere! And gie's a hand o' thine! And we'll tak a right gude-willie-waught, For auld lang syne. For auld lang syne, my jo, For auld lang syne, We'll tak a cup o' kindness yet, For auld lang syne. 10